The accident happened at Santa Lucia and Rose avenues while the 10-year-old victim was crossing the intersection on a bicycle on a green light. Five people observed the collision from a nearby vehicle. Two of the occupants immediately exited the car to pull the child out of traffic lanes to safety. That's when the driver sped off.
The remaining three occupants of the witness vehicle gave chase while reporting the description and direction of the suspect vehicle.
Oxnard police intercepted the suspect vehicle at Channel Islands Boulevard and DuPont Street. The driver, 54-year-old Raul Rivera, was taken into custody and charged with felony hit and run and driving without a license.
The victim was transported by ambulance to a local hospital with moderate injuries.
Without the assistance of the five Good Samaritans, police say the victim may have sustained additional injuries from passing traffic at the collision scene and the suspect could have escaped arrest.
